| August 11, 2005 Suspended teacher back in the classroom By ANGELINE TAYLOR The Hernando County School board approved a suspension for Gregory Cross, former school teacher at Powell Middle School in February because he allegedly showed a picture of a naked woman in class. What didn't reach the board's agenda was Cross' reinstatement to West Hernando Middle School for the 2005-2006 school year and that's where Cross is teaching. The arrangement for him to teach at West Hernando developed after Cross requested a Department of Administrative Hearing (DOAH). DOAH is the state agency established to handle disputes a person has against other state agencies. Cross' trial would have determined whether the school district could successfully terminate his teaching contract. Instead of going to trial, however, Cross' attorney and the school district attorney agreed to settle the case. "The charges have not been dropped," said schools attorney Karen Gaffney. The agreement calls for Cross to undergo a probationary period in which he is evaluated by certain performance standards, Gaffney said. Gaffney admitted she did not know what school Cross was assigned to. However, Cross answered the phone at West Hernando Middle School but said he preferred not to speak to the media. In February, Cross defended himself by saying he took pictures of dress code violations with his personal digital assistant (PDA). According to the court docket, Cross received a pre-disciplinary conference with Barbara Kidder, schools director of labor relations and professional standards. As a result of the conference, the district charged Cross with showing a photograph of a naked woman. District officials also said Cross failed to protect students from "harmful conditions." Cross is one of three employees embroiled in a DOAH case with the school district. Other employees who requested DOAH hearings were former middle school principal Michael Ransaw and school teacher Daniel Madril. The latest court dockets show Ransaw's case will be heard in November. The Madril case was withdrawn in mid-July. Reporter Angeline Taylor can be contacted at (352) 544-5289. http://www.hernandotoday.com/MGB3UM8P9CE.html |